I feel like they should have caught this beforehand. Like at the consultation.

November 7, 2008 4:49 PM

I went in to get my wisdom teeth out, only to discover after I'd been lidocained that my tooth is too close to my nerve and that the operation had to be scrapped for later. Now I can't feel my face. How can I go about relieving the numbness as quickly as possible. Difficulty: Two syringes full.
posted by Large Marge to health & fitness (12 comments total)

How can I go about relieving the numbness as quickly as possible.

You're experiencing the effect of anesthetic. You don't "relieve" the numbness. You wait for it to subside.
posted by jayder at 5:00 PM on November 7, 2008

Though this doesn't work for me, a co-worker says having hot soup/beverages does it for him.
posted by disaster77 at 5:11 PM on November 7, 2008

having hot soup/beverages does it for him

I'd be really careful doing this - the dentist told me last week to AVOID hot becuase you may not realize how hot it is. I think you just have to wait.
posted by Big_B at 5:12 PM on November 7, 2008

There's nothing much to do. Please be careful, though; every time my dentist numbs me up, I wind up taking a big, meaty, bloody bite out of my inner cheek.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 5:14 PM on November 7, 2008

I usually try a warm washcloth (tested on my inner wrist so it isn't too hot). Whether or not this actually helps is not proven, but when I feel like I am doing something, it makes me feel less sad that I am drooling.
posted by silkygreenbelly at 5:46 PM on November 7, 2008

I wouldn't be too mad about this. Damage to those nerves can cause life-changing damage to your body. Along the lines of slikygreenbelly, it might help to chew on that washcloth.
posted by rhizome at 5:49 PM on November 7, 2008

I end up really sleepy after I get lidocaine. I take a nap and wake up with the feeling back in my face. This also helps me avoid biting myself accidentally. I would advise drinking a lot of water, too.
posted by fructose at 6:07 PM on November 7, 2008

Theory: jog, aerobic exercise, or have sex :) Anything to get the blood flowing.

Basis: it's a chemically induced numbness, so you're basically waiting for your body to metabolize it. Increasing your heart rate might help that along.
posted by sbutler at 6:19 PM on November 7, 2008

That sucks; I'm sorry. The numbness is the worst part of the dentist for me, aside from all the anxiety. Unfortunately, I think you have to just wait it out. Try watching a good movie or doing something distracting to get your mind off of it. Don't drink something hot, as others have said. This could easily cause more harm than good.
posted by k8lin at 6:58 PM on November 7, 2008

Drinking hot things is fine, so long as you test the temperature on a non-anaesthetised body part first.
posted by the latin mouse at 8:12 PM on November 7, 2008

You will have to wait it out. Unlike naloxone for opiates, there is no reversal agent for lidocaine (and even if there were you'd need a doctor to administer it). Increasing the blood flow to the area may help some, but probably not much.
posted by jedicus at 8:28 PM on November 7, 2008

When all numbed, I like to drink a milkshake because the cold allows me to feel the sensation returning, and it is tasty and somewhat nutritious with no chewing. One caveat: drink the milkshake privately, as you'll probably drool some of it out.
posted by Sara Anne at 10:33 PM on November 7, 2008